Bay Appeals To American Visitors

Northern Advocate, 9 January 1940, Page 2

Bay Appeals To American Visitors

Russell and the Bay of Islands appealed to Mr Don Russell, airport manager of Pan-Pacific Airways. Auckland, more than any other place he had seen during his eight months in the Dominion.

Prior to sailing on transfer to Honolulu, Mr and Mrs Walker and their daughter Barbara spent seven days sightseeing with Russell as headnuarters.

What, puzzled Mr Walker as an American was the unmerited publicity received by Rotorua, and the absence of publicity of the Bay of Islands. As far as Rotorua was concerned, Americans had as good or better on a bigger scale at Yellowstone Park. Nothing to Rival Bay. Commenting on other scenic attractions in New Zealand, Mr Walker said that certainly bigger and better examples were to be seen in the States, but lie had seen nothing there to compare with the beauty of the Bay of Islands. By good fortune they were able to be present at the Waimate Pageant arid were iruly impressed with all they saw there. Mr Walker, commenting on the costuming and carriage of the players, said that for naturalness it could not be excelled as far as the Maoris were concerned. The family were particularly charmed with the view of the Bay from Mt. Tikitfkiora, which apparently was worth the climb and struggle through the gorse-overgrown track. Mr Walker regretted having no camera or colour film to do justice to the magnificent panorama views seen there. Naturally the old American Consulate at Or on go intrigued them very much, and the wish was expressed that information concerning the origin and history of that old building was available. Provision for Tourists. A day was spent at Cape Brett and Otehei Bay, where an inspection was made of the facilities there for overseas visitors. Mr Walker was very pleased to see the way tourists were catered for there.

No doubt was left in one's mind as to the sincere intention to take up the matter of publicising the Bay of Islands, and Mr Walker foresees a happy future for the Bay, if only through the efforts of the Publicity Department of Pan-American Airways. Mr Walker left expressing his regret at being overseas when the 1940 celebrations will be observed.